Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1887-05-07
GIVING AND TAKING A LIGHT.
The Manner of Spanish. German. English
and American Smokers.

ne manner OF optfisn. herman. EnglSn
and American Smokers.
There is a certain variety in the
manner of giving and taking o light
for a cigar that is interesting to all
smokers. The Italians and French
successfully copy the Spanish style,
which is the most graceful and elegant
of all, the only possible objection to it
being that it may sometimes carry
politeness beyond a reasonable range.
But, after all, it is simple and friendly
enough. The Spaniard bows and asks
his neighbor for a light, the latter re-
turning the bow, Immediately presents
him with his cigar, holding out the
lighted end at a slight angle between
the thumb and second finger. The
other takes the cigar, and, after pro-
curing the needed tire from it, roverses
it skillfuly and returns it, the entire
operation being ac~companiedby another
graceful bow, and each raist his hat
as he turns TO 90 away. The Spaniard
always smokes through his nose. He
considers ii ~tXlravagant TO waste any
good smoke through his mouth, and
inv, terate smokers in ali countries
agree with hlm.
The German is more polite in asking
for IA light than he is in giving it. Even
with the best int nti0n in the latter
case his efforts have all the appearance
of reluctance. Sometimes, when his
cigar is smoked down nearly far
enough, he Will throw il away immed-
lately after granting a request Tor fire.
This among the Laiins Is considered
rude and boorish in the extreme. and
is sometimes regarded as positively
insulting.
The average Englishman hesltatcs
before he gives "A light, and finally acts
as if he had achieved "A mighty feat in
condescension. Instead OF lifting his
hat, his hand is more likely 20 80 into
his pocket, and he j. apt to give a part
ing puff with an air OF Indignation as
he stalks away. Possibly this comes
from the fact that he never asks for a
light himself, and is always well armed
with matches.
The American, of late, seems 10 be
somewhat averse TO letting any one take
a light from his cigar. He takes it for
granted that Il must be much better
than his neighbours, and. not wishing
to contaminate II. he answers an appeal
for fire with Il match. Sometimes he
politely lights the match, and in such
cases he presents it with an air good
enough for any Spaniard. But this
somewhat new custom may possibly be
OF Irish ~partntage. The Irish peasant
always strikes Il match for his ~tireless
friend or fellow traveller, and ever in a
gale of wind he will hold Il lighted
match IN the hollow Of his hands and
h~unlorously issue orders for the cap
ture OF the preciouc flame.
The giving or taking CT a light for
a cigar is . small affair, but little things
often reveal a great deal of the char
acter, dispositiofPa breeding of men.
1t should always be offered cheerfully
and taken politely. In this country it
need not be lone with that extreme po-
l~iteress and elegance which may be
said to be the exclusive property OF the
Latin and which is probably beyond
the reach Of colder and more sober
"a 'es; but it should be accompanied
by that good fellowship which is gov
erned 10y common sense, the founda-
ton of all politeness.